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A great article on how writing pedagogy needs to change with the times; how to teach writing using resources such as blogs and social networking sites. 

10 Technology Enhanced Alternatives to Book Reports by Kelly Tenkely gives 10 various technology incorporated alternatives to the traditional "book report". This resource can be found on TipLine in a post by Jim Gates. Not only does the article give many entertaining and thoughtful alternatives to the traditional book report, but is also allows for differentiation for students who may struggle with writing skills but show strong comprehension abilities and interest in technology. Specifically, in an elementary classroom, I think it would be very interesting to use the first idea which enables students to create a cartoon version of the book they just read. This would be very fun with students who are beginning to read chapter books as well as students who are not yet well versed in writing.

This article provides 10 different ideas on how to enhance book reports. Rather then have a student write a five page book report and wait for your feedback, students can get creative with the use of the internet. This article provides numerous websites that allow book reports to take a new form. I think it would be interesting to allow students the option of choosing between a few of them when it comes time to present a book. They even have voicethread on here as an idea for students to create slide shows that can be interactive and collaborative. I especially liked number seven, which suggests allowing students to create a timeline of events in the story they just read in an online timeline. Students can capture the story through photos, videos, audio and text in order to retell important events in chronological order. These ideas will make reading books and creating book reports more interesting for students and allow students to be creative.

Collection of 10 different primarily technology-driven approaches to book reports and reading logs.  I remember I had a teacher in high school who, while allowing the typical essay-format book report, encouraged creative projects that pushed the boundaries a bit, and students put together everything from dioramas to videos to magnetic dress-up dolls.  This site collects 10 specific resources and ideas for book reports and reading logs,  most of them involving technology.

I remember I had a teacher in high school who, while allowing the typical essay-format book report, encouraged creative projects that pushed the boundaries a bit, and students put together everything from dioramas to videos to magnetic dress-up dolls.  This site collects 10 specific resources and ideas for book reports and reading logs,  most of them involving technology. There some great stuff here to motivate kids to read and make it especially fun!